COLUMN: GABBAFest to celebrate Allman Brothers Band with concerts, events this weekend

GABBA – the Georgia Allman Brothers Band Association – has carried the flag for the legendary Macon-based band for 30 years now, taking on the task of preserving the memory and music of the group before it became vogue.

This is GABBAFest weekend and there’s a lot to do, including multiple concerts at the Grand Opera House, a multitude of after-parties jams and a number of side events including a GABBA members-only-on-stage jam Sunday at The Big House.

Laraine Potter, GABBA president, said all events and concerts are open to the public with schedules and ticketing at www.gabbafest.org and through The Grand’s box office at 651 Mulberry St., (478) 301-5470 or www.thegrandmacon.com.

For local fans and those from across the globe, it’s the place to be.

“People have been coming from all over the world for years and years to be at GABBAFest,” Potter said. “People come to enjoy the music, see the Allman Brothers’ sites and, as much as anything, to enjoy meeting up again with friends who share their love for the music and the band. It’s a tradition with people coming from places like England and Finland and newcomers making it here every year. I think this may be the first time fans are coming from Sweden.”

Potter said in the 1990s, there weren’t that many marked, publicized, open-to-the-public spots for people to enjoy though die-hard fans knew to have a meal at the H&H Restaurant where the Brothers were sustained early on in their career, walk by and try to peer in the then-dilapidating Capricorn Studio building downtown, drive by the band’s old hangout on Vineville Avenue, the Big House which was just a house then, catch some tunes at Grant’s Lounge, or visit Rose Hill Cemetery where Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were laid to rest.

Now many of those and other locations have been rejuvenated and are chocked full of memories and memorabilia to carry the band’s memory through on-site public visits.

The fest got underway Thursday with a reception at Gallery West downtown and a jam at Grant’s.

Today, there’s a meet and greet at Fresh Produce Records, 567 Cherry St., at 1 p.m. with the band Restless Natives and then at 3 p.m. with former Wet Willie backup singer Donna Hall, yes, related to lead singer Jimmy Hall.

Also at 3 p.m., there’s Kirk West’s customary rock photography on display at Gallery West along with a book signing featuring Willie Perkins, Kathy Hurley and West for their classic Allman Brothers and rock and blues oriented books.

Tonight, though, is when things get into high gear with a concert at The Grand at 7 p.m. featuring The Danielle Nicole Band with The EG Kight Trio opening.

Saturday at The Grand at 7 p.m., it’s Brother and Sister featuring Vaylor and Melody Trucks with Parts & Labor opening and special guests Donna Hall and Shaun Oakley. Yes, there are a lot of Allman Brothers members’ kids tucked in there.

There’s more going on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so check the very long list at the GABBA site.

One notable feature Friday at The Grand and Sunday at the Big House involves this year’s GABBY Award recipient, Paul Hornsby. Past GABBY recipients have included “Mama Louise” of H&H fame, Kirk and Kirsten West of The Big House and Gallery West, Greg Allman’s great friend Chank Middleton who died this year, and Galadrielle Allman, to name a few.

“Paul will be getting the award Friday night after our openers, The EG Kight Trio, play,” Potter said. “He deserves this recognition and more for his role in the early days of Capricorn and before that over in Muscle Shoals when Duane Allman was there.”

Hornsby, a keyboard player, came from Alabama and quickly became part of Capricorn Studio as a house band member and studio manager. He played a part in bringing others to Capricorn, including Chuck Leavell who became a member of the Allman Brothers Band after Duane Allman’s and now tours playing keyboards with The Rolling Stones.

Hornsby produced and played on tour with many Capricorn-related artists and has remained in Macon through the years operating Muscadine Studios.

As well as releasing his own solo albums and producing hit records for Charlie Daniels, The Marshal Tucker Band and others, Hornsby is featured on a number of cuts playing with Duane Allman on Allman’s anthology releases. Hornsby will be sitting in playing keyboards on a number of those tunes during the weekend.

“I feel honored to be getting the GABBY,” Hornsby said. “I’m always glad to go to GABBYFest because so many of my musical friends are there playing or just showing up for the music. It’s a very natural place for us to be. The songs I’ll be sitting in on are three demos I recorded with Duane back in the old days at Muscle Shoals. I’m also looking forward to seeing Melody Trucks and Vaylor Trucks who have their own bands now. They’re Butch Trucks’ kids. We’re also going to be joining forces in December to do a show in Jacksonville together.”

Also coming up in the days and week ahead:

Throughout next week, Macon Pride will offer special activities and events like a beer release Monday at 6 p.m. at Piedmont Brewery & Kitchen and karaoke at Third Street Park on Thursday beginning at 6 p.m. Week highlights include:

• The Macon Pride Mini-Film Festival, Tuesday at The Douglass Theatre

• Broadway Does Pride Wednesday at The Grand Opera House

• A performance of “Friend of the Groom: A One Man Show Featuring Mark Mobley” Thursday at Theatre Macon

• Macon Pride Drag Show, Friday at the Hargray Capitol Theater

• Macon Pride Festival Pride in the Park Saturday at Third Street Park.

Activities, times, dates and ticketing information is at www.maconpride.org and www.facebook.com/maconpride.

Want international flair this weekend? Jump down to Perry Saturday for their International Festival from noon to 8 p.m. when cultures come together in historic downtown Perry through dance, song, food, shopping and art representing more than 20 countries. Check www.facebook.com/cityofperryga for more details.

Seeking a simple hike outside in beautiful, meaningful surroundings? Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is the place to be Saturday at 9 a.m. for a park hike organized by Cub Scout Pack 419. Search Facebook Events for “Ocmulgee Indian Mounds Hike” for any additional information.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.